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The New Rector
The New Rector

Chapter XI · The Doctor Speaks

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Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The New Rector

Chapter XI · The Doctor Speaks

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.
Line 2
His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.
Line 3
If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!
Line 4
Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.
Line 5
The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!”

Lest conjunction US /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading “The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.”

All words in this reading · 81

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.

appeared

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

ask

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

brooms

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

calls

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

church

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

clean

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

composed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

conclusion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

curate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

curiosity

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.

dark

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

EvennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

excitement

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.

expected

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

face

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

feelings

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

happened

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

hastened

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

hide

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

houses

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

imagined

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

late

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

lay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

learn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

less

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.

lestconjunctionUS /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

new

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

own

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

pointedly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

purposely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

put

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

really

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

rector

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

road

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

scandal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

seem

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

service

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

sick

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

subject

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

sweep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

talk

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

too

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The curate composed his dark face, and purposely made one or two sick calls at houses which lay in his road, lest he might seem to ask the question he had to put too pointedly.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading If there really had been no service—if the rector had not appeared—what a scandal, what a subject for talk was here!

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading His excitement and curiosity were not the less because he had to hide them.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

whispering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The feelings with which the curate hastened on the conclusion of his own service, to learn what had happened at the great church may be imagined.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Even if the rector had appeared a little late there would still be whispering; for new brooms are expected to sweep clean.